Best of Buda

Best of Buda

SRI LANKA-RELIGION-BUDDHISM

ISHARA S.KODIKARA

A row of meditating Buddhas is silhouetted against the sky during Poya, a full moon religious festival at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on January 26, 2013. The predominantly Buddhist Island nation marks every full moon as a key religious holiday. AFP PHOTO/ Ishara S. KODIKARA

A row of meditating Buddhas is silhouetted against the sky during Poya, a full moon religious festival at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on January 26, 2013. The predominantly Buddhist Island nation marks every full moon as a key religious holiday. AFP PHOTO/ Ishara S. KODIKARA

Lantern Festival Celebrates Buddha's Birthday

Chung Sung-Jun

South Korean Buddhists carry colorful lanterns as they celebrate the forthcoming birthday of Buddha on May 16, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. As the exact birthday of Buddha is unknown, South Korea celebrates his birthday on the full moon of May, which is May 25 this year.

South Korean Buddhists carry colorful lanterns as they celebrate the forthcoming birthday of Buddha on May 16, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. As the exact birthday of Buddha is unknown, South Korea celebrates his birthday on the full moon of May, which is May 25 this year.

Children Become Buddhist Monks In Seoul

Chung Sung-Jun

Children are dressed in robes by monks during the 'Children Becoming Buddhist Monks' ceremony forthcoming buddha's birthday at a Chogye temple on May 11, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. Children have their hair shaved off during the 'Children Becoming Buddhist Monks' ceremony ahead of buddha's birthday at a Chogye temple. The children will stay at the temple to learn about Buddhism for 14 days. Buddha was born approximately 2,559 years ago, and although the exact date is unknown, Buddha's official birthday is celebrated on the full moon in May in South Korea, which is on May 25 this year.

Children are dressed in robes by monks during the 'Children Becoming Buddhist Monks' ceremony forthcoming buddha's birthday at a Chogye temple on May 11, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. Children have their hair shaved off during the 'Children Becoming Buddhist Monks' ceremony ahead of buddha's birthday at a Chogye temple. The children will stay at the temple to learn about Buddhism for 14 days. Buddha was born approximately 2,559 years ago, and although the exact date is unknown, Buddha's official birthday is celebrated on the full moon in May in South Korea, which is on May 25 this year.

Water Festival Marks Start Of New Year In Thailand

Taylor Weidman

A Thai woman pours an offering of scented water over a buddha image during the Songkran festival on April 15, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.

A Thai woman pours an offering of scented water over a buddha image during the Songkran festival on April 15, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.

Water Festival Marks Start Of New Year In Thailand

Taylor Weidman

A flower offering sits in the lap of a buddha statue on April 15, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.

A flower offering sits in the lap of a buddha statue on April 15, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.

Water Festival Marks Start Of New Year In Thailand

Taylor Weidman

Two Thai men pour offerings of scented water over a buddha statue during the Songkran festival on April 15, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.

Two Thai men pour offerings of scented water over a buddha statue during the Songkran festival on April 15, 2015 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Songkran festival, marking the traditional Thai New Year, is celebrated each year from April 13 to 15. The throwing of water was traditionally a sign of respect and well wishing during the festival.

CAMBODIA-CULTURE-NEW YEAR

TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Cambodian people pour water on a Buddha statue as they pray at a pagoda in Kandal province on April 15, 2015. Cambodians are celebrating the Khmer New Year which runs from April 14-16 when tens of thousands people leave cities to visit their home provinces. AFP PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Cambodian people pour water on a Buddha statue as they pray at a pagoda in Kandal province on April 15, 2015. Cambodians are celebrating the Khmer New Year which runs from April 14-16 when tens of thousands people leave cities to visit their home provinces. AFP PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

CAMBODIA-CULTURE-NEW YEAR

TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Cambodian people pour water on a Buddha statue as they pray at a pagoda in Kandal province on April 15, 2015. Cambodians are celebrating the Khmer New Year which runs from April 14-16 when tens of thousands people leave cities to visit their home provinces. AFP PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

Cambodian people pour water on a Buddha statue as they pray at a pagoda in Kandal province on April 15, 2015. Cambodians are celebrating the Khmer New Year which runs from April 14-16 when tens of thousands people leave cities to visit their home provinces. AFP PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

HONG KONG-THAILAND-SONGKRAN-NEW YEAR

DALE DE LA REY

Members of the Thai community carry a Buddha statue during a parade to celebrate the Songkran festival in Hong Kong on April 12, 2015. The Songkran festival marks the start of the traditional new year in Thailand which begins on April 13. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY

Members of the Thai community carry a Buddha statue during a parade to celebrate the Songkran festival in Hong Kong on April 12, 2015. The Songkran festival marks the start of the traditional new year in Thailand which begins on April 13. AFP PHOTO / DALE DE LA REY

Buddhist Temple Offers High-tech Death Care In Japan

Chris McGrath

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun looks at the unlit glass buddha statues at the Ruriden columbarium on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun looks at the unlit glass buddha statues at the Ruriden columbarium on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Buddhist Temple Offers High-tech Death Care In Japan

Chris McGrath

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun walks through the Ruriden columbarium as glass Buddha alters are lit up on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun walks through the Ruriden columbarium as glass Buddha alters are lit up on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Buddhist Temple Offers High-tech Death Care In Japan

Chris McGrath

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun gives a tour of the drawers containing ashes of the deceased stored behind a wall of glass buddha statues at the Ruriden columbarium on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun gives a tour of the drawers containing ashes of the deceased stored behind a wall of glass buddha statues at the Ruriden columbarium on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Buddhist Temple Offers High-tech Death Care In Japan

Chris McGrath

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun demonstrates a prayer ritual inside the Ruriden columbarium as glass Buddha alters are lit up on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun demonstrates a prayer ritual inside the Ruriden columbarium as glass Buddha alters are lit up on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Buddhist Temple Offers High-tech Death Care In Japan

Chris McGrath

Flowers are seen placed in front of lit glass Buddha statue alters inside the Ruriden columbarium on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Flowers are seen placed in front of lit glass Buddha statue alters inside the Ruriden columbarium on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Buddhist Temple Offers High-tech Death Care In Japan

Chris McGrath

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun walks through the Ruriden columbarium as glass Buddha alters are lit up on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Koukokuji temple head priest Yajima Taijun walks through the Ruriden columbarium as glass Buddha alters are lit up on April 6, 2015 in Tokyo, Japan. The Ruriden, operated by the Koukokuji buddhist temple, took two years to build and houses 2046 futuristic alters with glass buddha statues that correspond to drawers storing the ashes of the deceased. An IC card allows the owner of the alter to access the building and lights up the corresponding statue. The ashes are stored for 33 years before being buried below the Ruriden, currently 600 alters are in use and another 300 are reserved.

Palavras-chave

A row of meditating Buddhas is silhouetted against the sky during... Fotografia de notíciasBuda,Colombo,Comemoração Religiosa,Céu,Fila,Horizontal,Lua,Meditar,Religião,Sri Lanka,VerticalPhotographer ISHARA S.KODIKARACollection: AFP 2013 AFPA row of meditating Buddhas is silhouetted against the sky during Poya, a full moon religious festival at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on January 26, 2013. The predominantly Buddhist Island nation marks every full moon as a key religious holiday. AFP PHOTO/ Ishara S. KODIKARA (Photo credit should read Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)